Any early description of Native American Culture
has to be European since there was
no written history by the Native Americans only lore passed through
generations. There is no dispute however regarding the migratory patterns
of the Native Americans as they pursued the bountiful food sources
in the cycle of the seasons. There is little dispute about the adaptations
and advancements made through the thousands of years of habitation
from Paleo to the Woodland archeological periods. Evolving from a
hunter/gathering society to hunting, fishing and agricultural society
using primitive materials and seed-saving techniques suggests a change
in environments over time.

Several terrific references have been found
regarding these Native lifestyles including the making of tools,
hunting and trapping, fishing, land clearing and planting. Hard
copy descriptions are found in C. Keith Wilbur’s illustrative
books, Indian Handcrafts and Woodland Indians and they are excellent
teaching references. Similarly, the Pequot Museum has wonderful on line descriptions
of Native American lifeways in the 17th century. Four other references
were found while researching this project that help describe the
culture for our region.